Automated PDF417 Barcode Data Extraction to Google Sheets

Step 1: Monitor Google Drive for New Barcode Images

Node: Google Drive Trigger

Settings:

• Trigger On: Changes Involving a Specific Folder
• Folder to Watch: Select your designated barcode upload folder
• Watch For: File Created

What This Does: Automatically detects when new PDF417 barcode images (like boarding pass screenshots) are uploaded to your specified Google Drive folder.

Success Looks Like: The trigger activates immediately when a new image or PDF is uploaded.

Important: Make sure the file sharing setting is set to “Anyone with the link” so that PDF.co can access the file.

Step 2: Extract Barcode Data with PDF.co

Node: PDF.co API → Barcode Reader

Settings:

• URL: ={{ $json.webContentLink }} (from the Google Drive trigger)
• Barcode Types: PDF417

What This Does: Takes the uploaded image and uses PDF.co's Barcode Reader to extract the encoded data from PDF417 barcodes, commonly found on airline boarding passes.

Success Looks Like: PDF.co processes the image and returns a URL containing the extracted barcode data string.

Step 3: Download the Extracted Data

Node: HTTP Request

Settings:

• Method: GET
• URL: ={{ $json.url }} (from the PDF.co barcode reader step)

What This Does: Downloads the barcode extraction results from PDF.co's servers, providing access to the raw BCBP data string.

Success Looks Like: The raw barcode data is downloaded and ready for parsing into structured flight information.

Step 4: Parse BCBP Data into Readable Format

Node: Code → JavaScript

To handle the parsing, you'll need a custom JavaScript function. Download the parser script here and paste it into your Code node.

What This Does: Parses the raw BCBP (Bar Coded Boarding Pass) string to extract the passenger name, flight details, dates, seat assignments, and confirmation codes into a structured format.

Success Looks Like: The raw barcode string is converted into clean, readable data with proper formatting for names, dates, and flight information.

Step 5: Add Parsed Data to Google Sheets

Node: Google Sheets → Append Row

Settings:

• Document From List: Select your Client Travel Management spreadsheet
• Sheet From List: Choose the appropriate sheet (usually Sheet1)
• Columns Mapping:
  • Client Name: ={{ $json.clientName }}
  • Flight Number: ={{ $json.flightNumber }}
  • Date: ={{ $json.travelDate }}
  • Route: ={{ $json.route }}
  • Seat: ={{ $json.seat }}
  • Confirmation Code: ={{ $json.confirmationCode }}
  • Processed Date: ={{ $json.processedDate }}

What This Does: Takes the parsed flight information and automatically adds a new row to your Google Sheets with all the extracted data, creating an organized travel log.

Success Looks Like: Each processed boarding pass appears as a new row in your spreadsheet with properly formatted flight information, passenger details, and processing timestamps.